Product Details

• Actors: Dean Jones, Nancy Olson, Harry Morgan, Keenan Wynn, Johnny Whitaker
• Directors: Norman Tokar
• Writers: Arnold Margolin, Don Tait, Frankie O'Rear, Jim Parker, John O'Rear
• Producers: Ron Miller, Tom Leetch
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Buena Vista Home Ent
• VHS Release Date: March 18, 1997
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301708261
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,076 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

When New York accountant Johnny Baxter (Dean Jones) learns he has inherited a Colorado hotel, he promptly quits his thankless job, packs up his dubious family, and heads west. Since this is a Disney comedy, the inn's only customers turn out to be nonpaying raccoons and its decorating motif is strictly cobweb. To make matters worse, the local banker not only refuses Baxter a loan, but tries to buy out the desperate newcomer with a lowball figure. But with the help of an eccentric squatter (M*A*S*H's Harry Morgan), a local snowmobile dude, and an avalanche, the city slickers eventually prevail. Jones' slapstick style is showcased in ski and snowmobile scenes featuring vintage 1972 special effects that are nevertheless hysterical to kids. With a G rating, this is safe, relatively entertaining family fare. (Ages 5 and older) --Kimberly Heinrichs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally a Disney Favorite on DVD!!!, May 3, 2003

By 

Spoiledbrat (Southern California, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Snowball Express (DVD)

I am so happy that Disney has finally released Snowball Express on DVD! This is a great family movie that I've adored my entire life. The story is about a family man, John Baxter (played by Dean Jones), who inherits a hotel from an uncle. He quits his job and moves his family to the snow covered hills of Colorado where The Grand Imperial Hotel is located. However, the Grand Imperial isn't as "grand" as he had imagined, and Baxter decides that with a bank loan, he'll change the hotel into a ski lodge. The ruthless bank manager wants the hotel for his own greedy purposes, and this leaves Baxter to struggle to make his ski lodge dreams a reality. This movie is full of laughs thanks to the whit of Jones, Harry Morgan, Nancy Olsen, Johnny Whitaker, and an adorable St. Bernard dog that will have you re-winding the DVD to see those precious expressions over and over.
Now, why just 4 stars out of a possible 5? They DVD is greatly appreciated, but the quality is a bit lacking. Once again, like Disney's DVD release of Blackbeard's Ghost, Snowball Express is full-screen format. Also, it appears the the picture quality isn't as crisp as most DVD releases. It looks as if the DVD was directly copied from an original film reel. As you watch the opening credits, you'll see the specks of dust and scratches that are common when watching movies in theaters, but not on DVD. Also, there aren't any Bonus Features!! Boooooo!!!
Other than those little flaws, the DVD would make a great addition to a Disney DVD collection.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Family Fun at its Finest!, November 2, 1999

By 

Tamasan Murph (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Snowball Express [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have such fond memories of watching this movie with my parents and my sister. We watched this movie every time we went on a skiing vacation or whenever we needed a good laugh. I am disappointed that the film is not released at this time. I hope that Disney will release it again soon so that I can share this film with my family again and, eventually, with my own children!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where Is Snowball Express???, June 23, 2002

By 

Sallie A. Martin (OK) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Snowball Express (DVD)

Slowly but surely, Disney is finally rereleasing their classics, their best work by far. This film is no exception.

Dean Jones is just a normal hard working man when he receives a visit from a lawyer telling him he has inherited a hotel out in the middle of nowhere from a relative he'd basically enver heard of. When he gets this news he quits his job, and in a unique way at that!

He breaks the news to his wife (Nancy Olsen), daughter, son, and dog, who think he's lost his mind. So the family sets off for Silver Hills, Colorado to take over as managers of their new inheritance. When they arrive, the hotel is FAR from running. It's been run down for years, so with no job, it's up to the family to fix it up and get it running again as fast as they can. Dean then discovers that he has more land than he thought, and decides to change it into a ski lodge. This decision will forever change their lives!

Snowball Express is filled with fun and comedy as Dean continues to steal the show with Disney. If you like The Ugly Dachshund and Blackbeard's Ghost you will enjoy this!

I hope that when and if Snowball Express is released again and on DVD for the first time, Disney will give it some respect and make it worth OUR while!